ESL Hip Hop

Learn English with hip-hop and rap.

Hip-Hop for Beginners: “You got to fight for your right to party!”

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“Fight for Your Right” is a song by the Beastie Boys, released as the fourth single from their debut album Licensed to Ill. One of their best-known songs, it reached #7 on the Billboard 100 in the week of March 7, and was later named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll (taken verbatim from Wikipedia). In this song, the Beastie Boys tell us that they really want to party instead of doing homework and going to school. They explain that they are tired of living at home with their parents because of their many strict rules.

Phrase

You got to fight for your right to party!

GOT TO

This expression has the same meaning has must or have to, and it is often used for recommendations and suggestions. We normally do not use it in negative statements or questions, so use got to in positive statements only. For example:

  • I got to study tonight, so I can’t hang out with you. I have a very important test tomorrow morning.
  • You got to listen to this song. It’s amazing!

Many people pronounce this expression like gotta /ˈɡɑːtÉ™/.

FIGHT FOR

There are many collocations containing the word fight. If you fight for something, it means you try hard to get something or acheive a goal. Other collocations include:

  • fight back – to resist something; to attack something that has already attacked you.
  • fight something out  – to fight or have an argument until it has been resolved.

RIGHT TO PARTY

Right can be both a countable or uncountable noun, and it is usually followed by an infinitive or noun phrase. 

  • right to something
    • Stop reading my e-mail messages! You are invading my right to privacy!
    • Everybody has the right to a happy and healty life.
  • right to do something
    • You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
    • Do you think same-sex couples should have the right to get married?

Discussion Questions

Did you have strict parents when you were growing up? What were they like? Did they allow you to have parties at home? Did they allow you to go to parties at another place? Please write your comments below! 

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